Dish Network, a leading TV and satellite broadcast provider, has suffered a major outage that began on Thursday, February 23. All of the company's websites and apps including Dish.com, DishWireless.com, and Dish Anywhere are inaccessible with customers unable to access their accounts or stream TV online.

Furthermore, customers have also been experiencing authentication issues when signing into TV channel apps such as MTV & Starz.

An internal email sent to employees has revealed that the company is facing a 'VPN issue.' Employees have been told to 'stand by' for further information, but have been left in the dark as to whether they will be paid.

According to BleepingComputer, a source close to a Dish Network employee has revealed that the company may have been hit by a cyber attack with 'blank icons' appearing on their desktop—an indication of a possible ransomware infection.

It is unclear how long the outage will last and the company has not yet released a statement.

How to Prepare for a Potential Cyberattack

Chris Close, a cyber security expert from Cyber Sleuth Security, a leader in security operations, was recently interviewed about steps businesses should take to prepare for potential cyberattacks.

"The first and most important step for any business to take is to develop a comprehensive cyber security policy," said Chris. "This policy should include clear guidelines on how information is stored and shared, as well as what steps should be taken in the event of a breach. It should also include a process for addressing any vulnerabilities that are identified."

When asked what other steps businesses should take, Chris said, "It's essential for businesses to have a dedicated IT security team in place to monitor for potential threats and respond quickly to any incidents. Businesses should also have a backup and disaster recovery plan in place so that any data that is lost or compromised can be recovered and operations can continue as normal."

Finally, Chris stressed the importance of educating employees on cybersecurity best practices. "It's essential for employees to understand the risks associated with their online activities and how to protect their data and the data of the business," he said. "Employees should also be aware of the latest phishing and malware scams so that they can spot them and take action if they happen to encounter one."

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Dish Network goes offline after likely cyberattack, employees cut off